Lighting balloon apparatus

ABSTRACT

A novel lighting balloon apparatus is provided for various indoor and outdoor lighting applications. The lighting balloon apparatus is comprised of a unique rectangular-shaped balloon envelope body constructed from a medium weight laminate of polyester film weaved into polyester fabric using an adhesive containing an antimicrobial additive and an ultraviolet inhibitor. The rectangular-shaped body of the balloon envelope provides a means for controlling the emission of light by allowing for the accommodation of lightweight taffeta panels without compromising control. The lighting balloon apparatus is further configured to accommodate multiple lighting sources, as well as applicable mixtures thereof. The various lighting sources that may be employed are securely coupled to a harness assembly suspended within the body center of the balloon envelope structure, which is sealed with a helium tight cap system and coupled to a relay bypass system for regulating multiple lighting source socket arrangements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/815,703, filed Jun. 22, 2006, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lighting balloons. More particularly,the present invention is directed to a lighting balloon apparatusconfigured to employ multiple lighting sources and mixtures thereof,while providing a stable and resilient illuminating body that mayaccommodate desired fixtures thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is an increasing demand for the use of lighting balloons,particularly in the entertainment industry, due to their ability toprovide various illuminations in a sensitive location lacking requisitelighting. The preference for lighting balloons is primarily attributedto their ease of use for required daytime and nighttime illumination, aswell as for their applications in exterior and interior locations.

Lighting balloons found today are typically spherical-shaped andcomposed of rip stop or sailcloth materials coated with a polyurethane,which in many cases limits the range of lighting output. Over time, thepotential illumination provided by these balloons are prone to fadingdue to discoloration of the light emitting material (hereinafter “theballoon envelope”). For example, the urethane coating used to sealconventional balloon envelopes has been known to chemically deteriorateas a result of sustained exposure to various lighting sources, resultingin the surface of the balloon envelope turning into an undesirableyellowish-stained shade. This discoloration inevitably shifts theintended color temperature expected from a particular lighting source,thereby frequently prompting the need to replace the balloon envelope inorder to regain the desired lighting output.

Lighting balloons may be tailored to provide a soft quality of light,capable of illuminating 360 degrees from the light source. In manycases, however, 360 degrees of illumination may not be desirable and,therefore, there are instances where there is a need to control theillumination emitted from the balloon envelope. As the popularity oflighting balloons grow so do the demands of lighting professionals tohave them designed to yield various desired looks and uses.Unfortunately, the illuminating direction of conventional lightingballoons are difficult to control. The difficulty associated withcontrolling these lighting balloons is mainly attributed to thecurvature and seams associated with the commonly used spherical-shapedballoon envelope. For example, in an attempt to control the illuminationemitted by such balloons, lighting designers have been known to addblack tarp-like materials onto the surface of the balloon envelope toblock light. However, this typically does not achieve the desiredresult, but rather results in the body of the spherical-shaped balloonenvelope to roll in the direction of the weight added, only to furtheralter the desired direction of lighting output.

There was a time when most locations were able to accommodate lightingballoons that simply emitted day light (i.e., a color temperature of5500 Kelvin) and tungsten light (i.e., a color temperature of 3200Kelvin) without worry of miss-matching in the color temperature oflighting sources. However, today's professionals encounter manychallenges due to the various lighting sources that are now morefrequently utilized, such as sodium vapor lighting used to illuminateroads at night and metal halide and mercury vapor lighting that istypically found in industrial areas and stadiums. There exists a desire,particularly in the filming community, to have the color temperature oflight emitted by balloon envelopes match the color temperature of lightemitted by fixed illuminating structures found in various locations. Forexample, when legacy film lighting instruments are utilized byprofessionals in the filming community, the light emitted by theselegacy instruments need to be recolored in final production to match thepre-existing lighting captured in various scenes, thereby unnecessarilyincreasing the costs in producing such films. Although conventionallighting balloons have improved over time by providing for multiplesource lighting, they continue to lack in meeting the increasing demandsof those industries commonly requiring the use of such lightingstructures. Conventional lighting balloons, in providing multiple sourcelighting, typically require the use of multiple lighting balloonsstructures and harnesses or, alternatively, the use of colored sleevesthat need to be assembled onto lighting fixtures prior to inflation.These conventional means are severely deficient in that the use ofadditional lighting structures and components are costly, whilesacrificing the lightweight maneuverability and power consumptionbenefits associated with earlier lighting balloons.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a reliable and resilientlighting balloon apparatus configured to employ multi-faceted ambientlight sources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a lighting balloon apparatus having a balloon envelope composedof a material that is robust and resilient to deterioration anddiscoloration, thereby providing a means for emitting light at asustained color temperature.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightingballoon apparatus having an improved balloon envelope body, therebyproviding a means for controlling the intensity and direction of lightemissions, as well as the overall stability of the balloon envelopestructure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a lightingballoon apparatus configured to accommodate a plurality of lightingsources to match light emitted by fixed illuminating structures invarious locations, as well as to simplify the process of adjusting thedesired lighting output, thereby eliminating the need for inefficientlighting modifications and significantly reducing the costs associatedwith such procedures.

These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention by providing an improved lightingballoon apparatus. The lighting balloon apparatus of the presentinvention employs the use of a novel rectangular-shaped balloonenvelope, rather than a spherical or cylindrical shape as typicallyemployed in conventional lighting balloons. The sides making up the bodyof the rectangular-shaped balloon envelope may be equipped with Velcro®or any other applicable fastening device to allow for the attachment ofa black, lightweight skirting material serving as a means for completelyblocking or adjusting the intensity of any light-emitting portion of theballoon envelope body, thereby creating a desired lighting effectwithout compromising the stability of the balloon envelope structure.Additionally, advertising materials, various decorative attachments,decals, digital print work and video projection capabilities may beaffixed more easily due to the rectangular-shaped side panels composingthe body of the balloon envelope. The rectangular shape of the balloonenvelope also provides for increased aerodynamic control overconventional curved body structures in that it allows the body of theballoon envelope to remain better squared to a surface. Nylon loops arealso attached at the corners of the balloon envelope body to controlpositioning of the balloon envelope, as well as to provide safetyrigging points.

The lighting balloon envelope of the present invention is made from amedium weight laminate of polyester film weaved into polyester fabricusing an adhesive containing antimicrobial additives and ultravioletinhibitors to reduce, respectively, the incidence of mildew anddiscoloration. This new balloon envelope material is stronger thanmaterials used in the past, and is very effective in providingprotection from harmful ultraviolet exposure. Therefore, the lightemitting body of the balloon envelope is kept as white and as clean aspossible, unlike other materials that commonly turn yellow and result ina warmer lighting source that is highly undesirable. The top portion ofthe new balloon envelope is also preferably lined or coated with ahighly reflective material, thereby significantly increasing thelighting output capabilities of the balloon envelope body.

The lighting balloon apparatus of the present invention may beconfigured for a combination of different lighting sources, all coupledto a single harness assembly suspended within the body center of theballoon envelope. The harness assembly is structured to provide a meansfor affixing multiple lighting fixtures (e.g., three fixture pairshaving opposing sockets), some of which are powered by a combination ofstep-up transformers and high voltage igniters. Additionally, thelighting fixtures may be wired in a manner so as to allow for differentlighting sources to be interchanged using the same lighting fixture.Lighting fixtures are configured, for example, to accommodate variouscombinations of HMI and tungsten bulbs, thereby creating many colorillumination options with temperatures ranging from 3200 to 5500 Kelvin.

In another embodiment, the lighting balloon apparatus of the presentinvention may be configured for a single lighting source of a particulartype, such as sodium vapor, metal halide or mercury vapor lightingsources, allowing for prefixed lighting sources present at variouslocations to be easily matched. Similarly, these various lightingsources are suspended within the body center of the balloon envelopethrough the use of various caps and springs coupled together in aparticular harnessing arrangement. However, a rigid-mount configurationmay also be made available for high wind conditions, and can be easilymounted to tripods or other standard rigging hardware. Lighting sourcesemployed in the balloon envelope of the present invention are ultimatelycontrolled by a relay power distribution system coupled to theaforementioned harness configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and advantage of the present invention will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 provides for an illustrative perspective view of a balloonenvelope employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thelighting balloon apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide for illustrative perspective views of a harnessassembly configured to accommodate a combination of different lightingsources and suspended within the body center of the balloon envelope ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 provides for an illustrative perspective view of a multi-sourcesafety relay power distribution system coupled to the harness assemblyof the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides for an illustrative perspective view of another harnessassembly configured to accommodate multiple lighting sources inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides for an illustrative perspective view of a rigid mountharness assembly employed in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

It is to be understood that the abovementioned drawing figures areprovided solely to assist in describing the concepts of the presentinvention and may not be to scale, and are certainly not intended to belimiting in terms of the range of possible shapes and proportions wellwithin the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed towards a novel lighting balloonapparatus that is robust in construction, easy to control and configuredfor providing a plurality of desired illumination outputs. For purposesof clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative depictions of thepresent invention are described with references being made to theabove-identified drawing figures. Various modifications obvious to oneskilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

The lighting balloon apparatus of the present invention employs arectangular-shaped illuminating body, said rectangular-shapedilluminating body being referred to herein as the balloon envelope. Anexemplary balloon envelope 10 employed in a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Balloon envelope 10 isconstructed having six orthogonally-fixated sides comprising a topportion 12, a base portion 14, a front portion 16, a back portion 18 andtwo side portions 20 and 22. The body of balloon envelope 10 ispreferably composed of a material having a medium weight laminate ofpolyester film weaved into polyester fabric using an adhesive containingan antimicrobial additive, to reduce the incidence of mildew, and anultraviolet (UV) inhibitor. This resilient material may be cut intovarious sized templates and sewn together using double sided adhesivetape, also preferably treated with a UV inhibitor. Seams 24 may then besealed using a 2″ Mylar® adhesive tape, or any other durable adhesive,overlaid along the surface of the stitched area and compressed with arolling mechanism. Thereafter, a 4″ Mylar® adhesive tape, or anothersuitable adhesive alternative, may be applied thereon as a secondarylayer for sealing seams 24. Additionally, a reflective material (notshown) may be sewn to the interior surface area of top portion 12 todirect, as well as increase, the illuminating output generated by alighting source suspended within the gas-filled void of balloon envelope10.

Tubular mesh webbing may be sewn together, forming one inch loops 26 atcorners or along edges of balloon envelope 10, to provide rigging pointsfor controlling the position of balloon envelope 10 or, alternatively,to provide rigging flexibility when connecting more than one balloonenvelope 10 together. Loops 26 may be, for example, nylon loops sewn topatches 28, which are comprised of a strong textile fiber, such asDacron®, affixed along the corners of balloon envelope 10. Additionally,Velcro® loops 30 may be provided along any of the edges of balloonenvelope portions 14-22 to allow for attachment of various shieldingpanels, advertisements or other suitable materials. For example,lightweight black taffeta panels (not shown) matching the dimensions ofside portion 22 may be attached using Velcro® loops 30 to serve as ameans for changing the direction or intensity of light emitted fromballoon envelope 10, or simply for aesthetic purposes to create adesired ambience for a particular event. Attaching lightweight fabricpanels to any of balloon envelope portions 14-22 is the preferred meansfor blocking, redirecting or absorbing light in that they do notunnecessarily shift or tip the desired illuminating direction of balloonenvelope 10.

Balloon envelope 10 is further comprised of a top cap 32, which may bepositioned and affixed to the center of top portion 12 with screws andsilicone. Top cap 32 may include a receiver ring containing stainlesssteel shackles to provide a stable core for suspending various lightingassemblies (described in further detail in connection with theillustrations provided in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5). Additionally, two plasticreceiver rings 34 may be positioned in the corresponding opposing centerof base portion 14 of balloon envelope 10, which when affixed completelyseals the gas-filled void of balloon envelope 10.

An exemplary lighting balloon harness assembly 200 is illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B. Harness assembly 200 is configured in a manner to allowit to be securely suspended in the body center of the gas-filled void ofballoon envelope 10 and, additionally, is further configured toaccommodate a plurality of different lighting sources on its single bodystructure. For example, HMI and tungsten lighting sources may be used inthe lighting balloon apparatus of the present invention. However,although the HMI and tungsten bulbs have the same bi-post base allowingthem to be easily interchanged, they are powered differently. HMI bulbsare powered by a step up transformer and a high voltage igniter system,while tungsten bulbs are powered, for example, by a 220V alternatingcurrent source. Therefore, it is preferable to design a harness assemblyso that multiple power sources may be interchanged while the lightingballoon apparatus of the present invention is in use.

Harness assembly 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B is designed toaccommodate a six socket arrangement, wherein three affixed lampfixtures having paired socket ends 224 are provided so that two bulbsare back to back and counter balanced along the single body structure ofharness assembly 200. This particular configuration allows for pairedbulbs to be evenly suspended from the center position of balloonenvelope 10. However, it should be noted that harness assembly 20 isprovided as an example to illustrate the present invention and is notnecessarily limited to the use of three evenly spaced lamp fixtureshaving paired socket ends 224. It is well within the scope of thepresent invention to envision the use of alternative lamp fixturearrangements in connection with harness assembly 200. For instance, itmay be possible to design harness assembly 200 so that it mayaccommodate twelve bulbs. The twelve bulbs may be used, for example, byproviding three evenly spaced lamp fixtures having quad-ended socketarrangements, wherein the four sockets provided on each of the threelamp fixtures are evenly spaced and counter-balanced by arranging eachlamp socket orthogonally to the neighboring lamp socket.

Harness assembly 200 is comprised of a base cap 202 at its end, which isreceived by rings 34 fixated at the center of base portion 14 of balloonenvelope 10. Base cap 202 may be constructed having an o-ring portion toprovide a secure seal against base portion 14 of balloon envelope 10, aswell as to provide a platform for mounting a number of various lightingaccessories. A cable restrainer 204 is mounted through an aperturelocated at the center of cap 202 and may be secured through use of aclevis pin assembly, thereby providing a means for a multi-conductorcable 206 to be passed through cap 202 into balloon envelope 10 withoutcompromising the air tight seal. This also serves as a point forattaching a center steel cable shroud 208. Pneumatic air fittings 210having male threaded ends are received by corresponding female threadedholes provided in cap 202 to provide filler valves for inflating balloonenvelope 10. Release valves 212, set at 0.5 psi or any other suitablepressure release measurement, are mounted into pressure fitted aperturesprovided in cap 202. A one way air valve 214 (e.g., a Boston valve) mayalso be mounted through an aperture in cap 202.

Two steel cable shrouds 208 are attached to two corresponding eye bolts216 mounted at opposing sides near the perimeter of cap 202. Perimetercable shrouds 208 are extended through aluminum mesh filter holders 218to springs 220 having steel clips 222 at their ends to be attached totop cap 32, which is affixed at the center of top portion 12 of balloonenvelope 10. Center steel shroud 208 is attached to clevis pin assembly204 at the base end and is extended through Teflon® dual bi-postmulti-source lamp sockets 224 to center spring 220 having at least onesteel clip 222 for attaching to top cap 32. Nico press sleeves 226 maybe used and crimped to make loops on all the ends of steel cable shrouds208, providing a means for attaching springs 220 and steel clips 222 tothe shackles of top cap 32. Springs 220 serve to provide shockabsorption when coupled to shrouds 208 and suspended from top cap 32 viasteel clips 222.

Aluminum mesh filter holders 218 may be provided in a cylindrical shapewith Teflon® rollers, and are configured to accommodate mounting ofcylindrically-shaped, UV and color temperature protected, high heatglass filters 228. Aluminum mesh filter holders 218 are mounted to lampfixtures having paired socket ends 224. Lamp fixtures having pairedsocket ends 224 may be multi-source lamp fixtures, as previouslydescribed, comprised of brass socket connection sleeves, or any otherdurable material, threaded to receive center steel shroud 208 set bycrimped nico press sleeve 226.

High heat, high voltage ignition wires 230 are connected to each ofmulti-source socket ends 224 using lock tight set screws, or any othersuitable hardware for safely securing ignition wires 230 tocorresponding socket ends 224. Some or all of ignition wires 230,depending on the number of sockets employed and the desired lightingcapabilities, may include multi-source bypass connectors 232, therebyproviding a means for bypassing high voltage igniters 234 or any otherapplicable lighting device that may be employed at the opposing ends ofignition wires 230. Igniters 234, ranging from 1200 W to 6000 W, may bemounted on base cap 202 and have opposing bypass connectors 235 forconnecting to corresponding bypass connectors 232. For example, harnessassembly 200 may utilize four 4000 W HMI igniters 234 to power four 4000W HMI bulbs, wherein HMI igniters 234 are connected via high voltageignition wire 230 to corresponding socket ends 224 having the 4000 W HMIbulbs. Similarly, any one of these HMI igniters 234 may be bypassed if aconnector 232, coupled to an ignition wire 230, and a connector 235,coupled to an igniter 234, are joined together, thereby allowing a bulbin the corresponding socket end 234 that does not require the use ofigniter 234 to be powered accordingly.

However, it is important to note that the present invention is notlimited to the use of four HMI igniters as described in the precedingexample. Any number and combination of igniters 234 or, as previouslymentioned, any other suitable combination of lighting devices may beused to power a variety of bulbs suspended from harness assembly 200.Additionally, these plurality of igniters 234 or various combinationsthereof may include bypass connectors 235 at both input and output endsof their units to be optionally connected to bypass connectors 232coupled to ignition wires 230 leading to paired socket ends 224 ofcorresponding lamp fixtures. The inclusion of bypass connectors coupledappropriately to lighting components in harness assembly 200, thus,provide a means for allowing both HMI and tungsten bulbs having the samemount (or other similarly mounted bulbs) to be used interchangeably inthe lighting balloon apparatus of the present invention.

Multi-conductor cable 206, passing thru cable restrainer 204, istherefore capable of employing separate circuit arrangements with theapplication of bypass connectors 232 and 235, providing a means to feedhigh voltage igniters 234 or to bypass them and connect directly toignition wires 230. Multi-conductor cable 206 is extended out of basecap 202 and provided with a socopex connector 236 at its end forconnecting to an external power source. Socopex connectors are typicallyemployed in multi-cable arrangements, such as that of multi-conductorcable 206, for delivering independent and likely different circuits ofpower, all conveniently bundled together in one insulated jacket.Multi-conductor cable 206 may be connected to a power distributionsystem 300, as illustrated in FIG. 3, via a multi-connector cable 302.Multi-connector cable 302 is preferably an elongated multi-connectorcable (e.g. a 120′ extension cable), which is connected at one end tosocopex connector 236 of multi-conductor cable 206 and at the other endto a power distribution box 306.

Power distribution box 306 may be comprised of a plurality of safetyrelays 308 to protect against inadvertent coupling of bulbs and thevarious power sources feeding multi-source lamp sockets ends 224. Safetyrelays 308 are independently powered by a separate 110V power source viaa hubble plug 310, which must be energized to activate powerdistribution system 300. Multi-conductor cable 206′, coupled tomulti-conductor cable 206 via multi-connector cable 302, isappropriately connected to the arrangement of safety relays 308 housedwithin power distribution box 306 and is sealed accordingly with the useof water tight restrainers 304.

Relays 308 may be configured to receive a signal in order to determinewhether corresponding igniters 234 are plugged into power distributionsystem 300, thereby enabling a user with the option to bypass thesystem. Alternatively, when igniters 234 are unplugged and correspondingignition wires 230 are directly plugged into the system viamulti-conductor cable 206, no signal is transmitted and relays 308remain in bypass mode. The bypass mode enables the user to employ, forexample, either 5000 W tungsten bulbs or, if the relay switch isenabled, 4000 W HMI bulbs, as described earlier in connection with theharness assembly arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Veam connectors may be provides at the ends of multi-conductor cables312, extending out of power distribution box 306, to allow forconnections to corresponding step-up transformers (not shown), whereinthe transformers are employed to transmit the appropriate power to eachof the socket ends 224 affixed to harness assembly 200. Step-uptransformers may be equipped with a safety loop circuit system coupledto relays 308, which switches on to allow high voltage to reach igniters234. However, when bypass connectors 232 are connected and igniters 234are unplugged, safety relays 308 do not switch on and the aforementionedsafety loop circuit is not needed. Rather, 220V is used to power thetungsten bulbs with out the safety loop circuit, which may be protectedwith the use of an independent 220V dimmer and breaker switch. Sixmulti-conductor cable pigtails 312 may be used to separate each of thesix socket end applications illustrated in FIG. 2B, four of which may beconnected to HMI transformers and wherein two of those four are furtherconnected to the relay system of power distribution system 300. Whenrelays 308 are in bypass mode, as previously described, a shortmulti-conductor cable adaptor 314, having an opposing veam connector atone end and a 220V, 30 amp twist lock connector at the other end, may beused to adapt the high voltage HMI system to the 220V tungsten bulbsystem. Adaptor 314 can be used on any multi-conductor cable lead 312 toconvert from HMI to tungsten. Conversely, the use of adaptor 314 is notnecessary when corresponding igniter 234 is plugged into the system andrelays 308 are switched on. In this case the corresponding cable pigtailis plugged directly into the HMI transformer for powering the 4000 W HMIbulb.

The aforementioned system, when employed in the lighting balloonapparatus of the present invention, may provide lighting professionalswith a plurality of color options having temperatures ranging from 3200Kelvin (tungsten) to 5500 Kelvin (daylight). For example, using theharness assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, lighting professionalsmay choose to employ the use of four HMI bulbs, four HMI and twotungsten bulbs, three HMI and three tungsten bulbs, two HMI and fourtungsten bulbs, four HMI bulbs with full color temperature orange (CTO)filters along with two tungsten bulbs, one HMI bulb with full CTO filteralong with three HMI and two tungsten bulbs or any other suitablecombinations thereof. Configuring lighting balloons with an ability tomix lighting sources within the same balloon envelope body provideslighting professionals with the ability to change the color temperatureof the balloon efficiently. This is particularly beneficial during filmmaking where light intensity is crucial. Absent the ability to add andsubtract colors, the height of the lighting balloon would have to beconsistently adjusted to control the illumination intensity beingoutput.

In an alternative embodiment, harness assembly 400 of FIG. 4 may beprovided for use with sodium vapor, mercury vapor, metal halide andother lighting sources commonly found in many of today's various outdoorlocations (e.g., stadiums, streets and industrial areas). Harnessassembly 400 is similarly configured, for the most part, to earlierdescribed harness assembly 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. However,unlike harness assembly 200, harness assembly 400 does not have ignitersor ballast boxes affixed to its base, but rather they may be providedexternally from the lighting balloon envelope. Harness assembly 400 iscomprised of a base cap 402 having an o-ring, a clevis pin assembly 204,pneumatic air fittings 406, plastic release valves 408 and a one wayBoston valve 410, which may all be utilized in the design of variousmulti-source units having the same intended use as described inconnection with the lighting balloon apparatus of the present invention.Harness assembly 400 is further comprised of suspension hardware, againsimilar to those previously described, such as steel shrouds 412, nicopress sleeves 414, springs 416, steel clips 418, eye bolts 420, cablerestrainer 422 and aluminum mesh filter holders 424.

Aluminum mount plates 428 may be provided for attaching mogul basedsockets 426, wherein sockets 426 are paired and mounted in opposingdirections. A hole is provided through the center of mount plates 428 sothat a shroud may be passed through, preferably threaded with a steelbraided cable, to securely suspend harness assembly 400 within thecenter body of the balloon envelope. Nico press sleeves 414 may be usedto secure mount plates 428 to the center steel cable shroud, whichitself is secured at its end to base cap 402. Sockets 426 and mountplates 428 may be mounted in succession along the center steel cableshroud, as depicted, or in an alternative formation, depending on theballoon envelope size and light intensity output required.

Male quick release connectors 430 may be added to wiring leads coupledto sockets 426. Corresponding female quick release connectors 432 may beadded to a multi-conductor cable 434 received and secured by cablerestrainer 422, and extending to the electrical receiving ends ofsockets 426. Quick release connectors 430 and 432 may be selectivelycoupled together to allow for various power bypassing schemes, similarto those previously described. An elongated multi-conductor cable (notshown) may be provided and extended from the plug end of multi-conductorcable 434 exiting base cap 402 to be received by transformers andigniters, provided at a location remote from the balloon envelope body,needed to power the particular bulb or bulbs being employed in sockets426. The transformers and igniters may be, for example, provided in aballast type enclosure having a 110V Edison plug at one end, forreceiving an electrical feed, and a twist lock 20 amp plug at its otherend of transmitting the transformed electrical feed. When the twist lockplug of the enclosure receives the power plug provided at the end ofmulti-conductor cable 434, sockets 426 of harness assembly 400 arepowered accordingly.

In yet another embodiment, a rigid mount design may be employed for usein the lighting balloon apparatus of the present invention. Such adesign is exemplified in rigid mount assembly 500 of FIG. 5, whereinassembly 500 is constructed similarly to harness assemblies 200 and 400illustrated, respectively, in FIGS. 2A-2B and 4. Assembly 500 iscomprised of a base cap 502 having an o-ring, pneumatic air fittings504, plastic release valves 506 and one way Boston valve 508. Here, acable restrainer 510 is provided without the need for a clevis pinassembly, as previously described in connection with assemblies 200 and400. Instead, the previously described clevis pin assembly is replacedwith a nut assembly, which may be used to fasten and clamp cablerestrainer 510 to base cap 502.

An aluminum tube 512 is extended through cable restrainer 510 to adesired length, depending on the illumination output of the bulb orbulbs, and threaded internally to accept an extension 514 for reachingthe top of the balloon envelope employed in the rigid mount design. Theportion of aluminum tube 512 extending out of base cap 502 provides ameans for entertainment-pertaining hardware to be attached for standmounting or other similarly situated rigging mounts. Aluminum tube 512may be further threaded along its outside surface in proximity to basecap 502 for use with cable restrainer 510, which has internal threadsfor accepting the threaded end of aluminum tube 512. Cable restrainer510 is configured so as to allow multi-conductor cables necessary forfeeding tungsten and high voltage HMI units to pass through the insideof aluminum tube 512, while at the same time insuring an air tight seal.Holes may be machined in aluminum tube 512 to feed cables through tosocket leads, wherein connections are made with high heat crimps pulledback into aluminum tube 512.

Tungsten units may be assembled using sliding bulb mounts moved into theproper position and fastened with a set screw. For example, sliding bulbmounts may be utilized for affixing lamp holder mount 516. In HMI units,a threaded mounting plate may be attached to the top of aluminum tube512, thereby allowing high heat Teflon bi-post sockets 518 to be used.In the HMI design an aluminum mesh filter holder (as previouslydescribed in conjunction with FIG. 4) may be attached to sockets 518 toprovide protection from UV emissions and to control color temperaturechanges. Sodium vapor, metal halide and mercury vapor units may employ asimilar threaded mounting plate called a vapor mounting plate, which isdesigned to accept a mogul based socket (as previously described inconjunction with FIG. 4). These various lighting source units mayfurther utilize a balloon support structure referred to as a harp. Theharp may be constructed with four aluminum tubes and internally threadedat one end to be screwed onto base cap 502, wherein the four aluminumtubes may be heated and bent towards each other so they meet at a centerpoint. At the center point, aluminum tub 512 may then be welded theretoand extended vertically to the desired length matching the balloonenvelope height, being received by a removable Teflon receiver cap 520.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can bepracticed by other than the described embodiments, which are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation. Variousarrangements of the described embodiments can be made by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

1. A lighting balloon apparatus, comprising: a single balloon envelopebody forming an enclosed space and adapted for retaining a gas therein,said single balloon envelope body having a plurality of rigging pointsalong its exterior surface; a harness assembly suspended within saidenclosed space, secured between a top center portion and a bottom centerportion of said single balloon envelope body, having a plurality oflighting fixtures affixed thereto, wherein said plurality of lightingfixtures are configured for receiving a plurality of different lightingsources, wherein said plurality of lighting fixtures are coupled to atleast two different lighting sources, and wherein said at least twodifferent lighting sources have disparate powering requirements and emitdifferent color temperatures of light; a multi-conductor cable, saidmulti-conductor cable having at least one conductive power lead coupledto a receiving end of at least one of said lighting fixtures; and apower distribution source, wherein said power distribution source isconfigured to drive said at least two different lighting sources bytransmitting at least one electrical signal via said multi-conductorcable to be received by said receiving end of at least one of saidlighting fixtures.
 2. The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid balloon envelope body is constructed from a medium weight laminateof polyester film weaved into polyester fabric using an adhesivecontaining an antimicrobial additive and an ultraviolet inhibitor. 3.The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 1, wherein said balloon envelopebody is a rectangular shaped body having six orthogonally-fixated sides.4. The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 3, further comprising atleast one reflective material affixed to an interior surface of at leastone of said six orthogonally-fixated sides of said balloon envelopebody.
 5. The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 3, further comprising ameans for affixing at least one obstructive article to an exteriorsurface of at least one of said six orthogonally-fixated sides of saidballoon envelope body, said obstructive article being composed of alightweight material suited for impeding the emission of light.
 6. Thelighting balloon apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least onehigh voltage igniter coupled to said receiving end of at least one ofsaid lighting fixtures, said high voltage igniter receiving saidelectrical signal transmitted by said power distribution source via saidmulti-conductor cable to appropriately drive at least one of saidplurality of lighting sources coupled to said lighting fixture at adesignated power range.
 7. The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 6,wherein appropriately driving said lighting fixture at a designatedpower range of said high voltage igniter is regulated by a step-uptransformer coupled to said multi-conductor cable via said powerdistribution source, wherein said power distribution source is furthercomprised of a plurality of safety relays configured to determinewhether said high voltage igniter is coupled to said power distributionsource or is bypassed.
 8. The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 6,wherein said high voltage igniter is provided with at least one bypassconnector, and wherein said receiving end of said lighting fixture isprovided with at least one opposing bypass connector configured toreceive said bypass connector of said high voltage igniter.
 9. Thelighting balloon apparatus of claim 8, wherein when said bypassconnector associated with said high voltage igniter is connected to saidbypass connector associated with said lighting fixture, said connectedhigh voltage igniter is bypassed and said corresponding connectedlighting fixture is powered directly by said electrical signaltransmitted by said power distribution source via said multi-conductorcable.
 10. The lighting balloon apparatus of claim 1, wherein said atleast two different lighting sources having disparate poweringrequirements and emitting different color temperatures of light arecomprised of an HMI bulb and a tungsten bulb.